for 4-8th Grade Student Detectives

An Informational Brief

to support

Mission Success

Lots of Kids Have Food

AllergiesI’m allergic

to

peanuts.

I’m allergic

to tree nuts

and wheat.

About 2 kids in every classroom is likely to have a food allergy.

The Immune System Your immune system fights germs. Sometimes the

immune system makes a mistake and fights food

proteins.

Germs

Immune

System

Allergic

Reactions

Allergic Reaction

Warning Signs

• Itchy mouth

• Rash

• Itchy, raised hives

• Tightness in the throat

• Difficulty Breathing

If someone is having an allergic reaction, they need help right away.

If you can’t find an adult

call 911

Anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-

sis) is a serious allergic

reaction that can be deadly.

Eight Common Food Allergens

Milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy are the most common foods allergens

among individuals with food allergies.

Board-Certified Pediatric Allergist

I can determine

if you are

allergic to

something.

I can prescribe

epinephrine, a life

saving

medication.

Emergency Medication Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

www.epipen.com

www.adrenaclick.com www.auvi-q.com

www.epinephrineautoinject.com

Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Watch this video to learn about the Auvi-Q™ auto-injector

Avoid Problem Foods

People with food

allergies need to avoid

problem foods.

Eating just a tiny amount of a problem food can cause an allergic reaction.

Which of These Foods Contains

Egg?

Read Ingredient

Lists

Cross-Contact

What are some ways that an apple could have cross

contact with peanut butter?

Follow School Rules

Examples of School Rules:

- Allergen-Free Classroom

- Allergen-Free Lunch Tables

- No Eating on the Bus

- No Sharing Food

- No Food Fights

- Wash Hands After Eating

Don’t Share Food or Drinks

Don’t trade or share lunch items. Don’t share snacks and desserts.

Don’t share water bottles. Don’t share gum or candy.

Wash Your Hands

After Eating

Soap and water will help clean food off of your hands.

Hand Sanitizer will NOT clean food off of your hands.

Get Help Right Away

If you can’t find an adult

call 911

Be Kind

Never Tease

Never Bully

Be Considerate

Instead of … How about …

New pencils

A new book

Homemade

Cup Cakes

Playground

equipment

Donuts

Fresh

Baked

CookiesStore-bought

cookies

with an

ingredient list

Spread Awareness

Celebrate Food Allergy Awareness during the month of May

Share a FAACT bookmark with your friends

Hang a FAACT Poster

Read food allergy stories to younger students

Ask your school to purchase awareness posters, bookmarks and other resources from FAACT

Host a Fundraiser for FAACT

Visit FAACT at www.FoodAllergyAwareness.org

Clip Art Image

Acknowledgements

Clip Art on slide 16 comes from

clipartbest.com

All other Clip Art images come from

openclipart.org

This program has been approved by FAACT’s

Medical Advisory Board and is supported by